The Cure

“You return every time! No one else does!” Livhild chokes Eiric.

In the aftermath of the explosion, Freydis, Vilgur, and Sigrun were sent flying. Eiric was left alone with Livhild, but he is unable to raise a finger to protect himself against Livhild.

“I remember. There is a way. I know it. It’s you, Eiric. It’s always been you! You returned every time, forcing us to be as we are! How many times have you returned? They can’t stop you, so they keep us here, hoping to find a way to be rid of you. But Yggdrasil won’t allow it, returning us to the beginning and dying because of it. You. you will destroy this world. No! If, you die, I can pass. No!” Livhild lets go of Eiric stumbling back as her pain in her head becomes unbearable. “That’s wrong. But it is you. Must I kill you? Yes. Then, I can make this all right.”

Livhild aims for Eiric’s heart, stopped only by Vilgur’s shield. “Get it together Eiric! She’s trying to kill you!”

“What?”

“Tveir hammer!” Sigrun summons a hammer for Freydis to use, the two working together to create distance between Livhild and Eiric.

“Wait, don’t hurt her!” Eiric said.

“And let her kill you?” Freydis said.

“Something is wrong. I know it.”

“No! I must kill him. I must make everything right!”

The battle continues, Livhild shattering the hammer of ice before kicking Freydis away. In the immortal world, sun is limited and Freydis is left far from full strength because of it.

Sigrun and Vilgur attack, small shields blocking every attack aimed at them as they return each blow with one of their own.

Vilgur takes the lead, exchanging blows with Livhild who hits much harder than anyone he has ever faced. Still, for each strike he receives, he delivers one back. Sigrun uses the opening he creates to deliver a flurry of ice spells which Livhild dodges or parries with ease.

The siblings switch, Sigrun taking the lead with short swords of ice as Viglur creates more small shields to allow Sigrun to move forward without fear.

Livhild is only kept away from Eiric for two minutes however, her strength growing until she blitzes the siblings with a swift kick to each of their sides, forcing them to the ground in pain from a single blow.

With the opening, Livhild attacks Eiric. Her arm ready to strike through the heart of the boy who stands still as she closes the distance.

“Eiric!” Sigrun stands, but Livhild does not attack.

“I’m sorry.” Livhild said.

“It’s ok. I know you would never want to hurt me. Sigrun, could you freeze her in place, please.”

Arriving at Eiric’s side, Sigrun finds Livhild striking through her own heart, stopping herself before she can harm Eiric.

“Prir freeze.”

Livhild is imprisoned in a block of ice, only her head remaining free.

“I’m sorry.” Livhild cries.

“It’s ok. Please, tell us what is wrong.”

“I stopped tampering with my memories, I knew there was something important I am forgetting. I have seen the world end many times but returned every time, my body does not disappear with you all. I am returned to the beginning as Yggdrasil recreates it. And every time, it is because you died. It cried your name.”

“Why? I don’t have any more a connection to Yggdrasil than the other blessed.”

“Because it is you. You are the cure, Eiric. You are the reason the world will end, the one to end it. Yggdrasil, she is protecting us. But when you die, she must see a hopeless future and resets the world. She grows weaker every time, I believe she is reaching her breaking point. She cannot continue to do so for long. I’m sorry, Eiric. I wanted to fix this. I thought I could. I lived through it so many times, but I fail every time. I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok, Livhild, if it is something only I can do then I will do it. But, what do you mean by ending this world?”

“The world is cursed as it is, it must end. Yggdrasil has chosen you but I do not know how to do it, or what it entails. Only of the name, Ragnarok. Yes, it will destroy the world as we know it. You must destroy it. But, how? Ugh.” Livhild shakes in pain, more memories flooding into her mind, “Agh!” The block of ice bursts, Livhild falling to the ground but refusing to attack. “Leave.”

“Livhild, let us help you.”

“No! I cannot run any longer. I must allow every memory to return, maybe then I can help you at last. I will call for you, please, you must leave for now. If I can’t keep control, I could kill you all.”

“Eiric, we should do as she says.” Sigrun said.

“But, I want to help her.”

“You will, but we should respect her wishes for now. Please.”

“Ok.”

“Eiric.” Livhild calls his name one last time before allowing her memories to flow unrestricted, “I will do all I can to help you. But you must promise to end this world. It is sick, only you can cure it.”

“I will do everything I can, I promise. Then we can live our lives here in peace.”

“You will. But I have another request; please, kill me.”

The group walks to the border of the immortal land.

“Hey, the immortal land has shrunk.” Freydis said.

“You’re right.” Vilgur picks up sand where once stood tall grass, “Could this be because she is not tampering with her memories.”

“It could be.” Sigrun said, “Eiric, are you ok? Eiric?”

“Hm?”

“You’re worried about her request. Do you want us to do it?”

“No. I will find a way. I’m sorry everyone, I need some time alone.”

Late in the night, once the rest of the group has fallen asleep, Sigrun visits Livhild.

“Why are you here? Do you wish to kill me in his place?” Livhild said.

“He would never forgive me for doing that. I know how much Eiric loves you, you were like his first mother. I wanted to thank you for that.”

Sigrun sits in front of Livhild and holds her hands.

“You. Who are you?”

“Sigrun, Eiric’s wife to be. Nothing more.”

“You cannot lie to me demon child, I can see it. Your grief. Your love for him. Your power. How much do you know?”

“Only what he will give me. Although, even he does not understand his blessing yet. But that is not why I am here. You will pass tomorrow, I am sure Eiric will find a way. I’d like to help you find peace before then. I have seen it. Blessed gain strength from peace of mind, I hope this will help you as well. At least I hope you can pass with a smile because of it. Eiric told me, of how your only regret from your past life is not being able to say goodbye.”

“It is. You. Is this how you contacted him?”

“It is. Think of them. They will hear your voice.”

Livhild sobs. “Julian? Marco?”

Livhild?

Mom?!

The voices of her most loved reach her, both surprised to hear her voice after years of her passing.

“It is me, my loves. I, I am ok now. I will be now. I know my passing was sudden, but I hope you two are doing well. I love you both so much, I only wished to say goodbye… yes. I love you as well. I don’t have much time; there is something I must do where I am. Please, remain healthy, I will never stop thinking of you two. Goodbye.”

Sigrun holds Livhild after she is done speaking with her family from her past life.

“You could speak with them more; I do not mind.”

“It will only leave me longing, it was truly a blessing to hear them one last time. To say our goodbyes. Thank you, Sigrun. Yes, I remember now. Much of it is coming back. You are always at his side. Fighting with him. Searching for him. Holding him as he passes.”

“I will always be at his side, but this time, I will make sure he succeeds.”